"And a Nation Cringes in Embarrassment"

February 26, 2003

Most of us can remember kids from our school days who sought to attract attention or boost their own popularity by teasing or bad-mouthing other children.  Unfortunately, not all of those children grew out of this juvenile behaviour when they reached adulthood.  Take Liberal MP Carolyn Parrish for instance. 

While voicing her opposition to the U.S. strategy for disarming Iraq, Ms. Parrish grumbled to reporters, “Damn Americans.  I hate those bastards.”  

Her childish rant insulted an entire nation, the one which happens to be our closest ally and largest trading partner, embarrassed Canadians, dealt another blow to the crumbling relationship between the Liberal government and Washington, and undermined the legitimate democratic voice of those Canadians opposed to military action against Iraq. 

Ms. Parrish’s statement of apology for her “rudeness” did little to alleviate the international community’s suspicion that the Canadian government has a distinct anti-American bias. 

 It was just three months ago that the Prime Minister’s former Press Secretary, Francine Ducros, also engaged in some U.S.-bashing when she called U.S. President George W. Bush a moron.  When a government’s senior officials and MPs are so comfortable expressing such views, it’s only natural to assume those opinions are shared by their superiors.

Regardless, Ms. Parrish quickly dispelled any myths that her apology to the American people was sincere when she appeared on Mike Bullard’s television talk show early this week and claimed that her only mistake was in being “too truthful” about her opinions.  

She also bragged that the Prime Minister had defended her and she joked flippantly about the 4000 e-mail messages she’s received from irate Americans.  Like some of her fellow Liberal MPs who’ve expressed their anti-American sentiments in mailings to their constituents, Ms. Parrish seems to believe that U.S.-bashing will garner favour among Canadian patriots. 

Canadians do not require her U.S.-bashing rallying cry in order to feel pride in their country.  The only emotion she has stoked is embarrassment.  If she hadn’t chosen to pick on the toughest kid in the class, I’d call her a bully. 

The outrage over her remarks transcend Canada-U.S. relations, partisan politics and the ongoing debate over how to disarm Iraq and ensure Saddam Hussein no longer provides a safe haven for international terrorists.  Inciting hatred and antagonism against others to bolster your own popularity is despicable. 

Ms. Parrish’s grandstanding and mockery of her own apology is one of the most appalling displays I’ve ever seen by an elected representative. But then she made her twisted perception of public office quite clear when she told Mr. Bullard, “Politics is showbiz for ugly people.” 

In all, it was an embarrassing week for Canada courtesy of the Liberal government.  As Ms. Parrish’s comments were flashed across television screens in the U.S. and Iraq, so too was the crash of another SeaKing helicopter. 

The international community can’t be expected to invest faith in a country’s commitment to ensuring world peace and security when its government forces its soldiers to fly 40-year-old deathtraps and its elected officials spout words of profanity against an ally.